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LePage to determine 'Essential workers' in event of shutdown

A closer look at what government shutdowns look like in Maine and how it could affect you personally.

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Updated: 7:58 PM EDT Jun 20, 2017

LePage to determine 'Essential workers' in event of shutdown

A closer look at what government shutdowns look like in Maine and how it could affect you personally.

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Updated: 7:58 PM EDT Jun 20, 2017

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WEBVTT HERE JENNA LAST SHUTDOWN IN 1991.>> A LOT OF CHAOS.A LOT OF UNINTENDEDCONSEQUENCES.PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUTCONTRACTORS LAYING OFF PEOPLEWHO ARE DOING PAVING PROJECTS,FOR EXAMPLE.PAUL: MIKE CARPENTER ISCURRENTLY SERVING AS A STATESENATOR.TWENTY-SIX YEARS AGO, HE WASSERVING AS MAINE'S ATTORNEYGENERAL AND WORKING WITHTHEN-GOVERNOR JOHN MCKERNAN TONAVIGATE A 16-DAY-LONG STATEGOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.>> IT'S NOT JUST STATE EMPLOYEESWHO ARE GOING TO BE AFFECTED.THEY'RE GOING TO BE PROBABLYAFFECTED THE MOST DIRECTLY, BUTTHERE WILL BE RIPPLE EFFECTSOUT, AND REAL PEOPLE WILL BECERTAINLY INCONVENIENCED, ANDCERTAINLY THE FIRST WEEK WILL BEFOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND, SOTHAT'S GOING TO BE COMPLICATED.>> FOR THOSE WHO THINK THIS WILLBE A PAINLESS EXPERIENCE, THINKAGAIN.PAUL: STATE SENATOR ROGER KATZREPRESENTS AUGUSTA, WHERE A LOTOF STATE EMPLOYEES LIVE.HE'S BEEN LOOKING INTO EXACTLYWHAT HAPPENS IN THE EVENT OF ASHUTDOWN.>> IT TURNS INTO A REALDISASTER, AND IT ALSOCONCENTRATES ALMOST ALLGOVERNMENTAL POWER INTO THEHANDS OF ONE PERSON, AND THAT ISTHE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OFMAINE.PAUL: GOVERNOR LEPAGE WOULDLIKELY DO WHAT GOVERNOR MCKERNANDID AND ASK PUBLIC SAFETYOFFICIALS, JAIL GUARDS, ANDMENTAL HEALTH FACILITY STAFFERSTO KEEP WORKING.A SHUTDOWN WOULD NOT AFFECT THEMAINE TURNPIKE BECAUSE THETURNPIKE AUTHORITY USES ALMOSTNO STATE MONEY.STATE PARKS WOULD CLOSE.THOUSANDS OF STATE WORKERSDEEMED NON-ESSENTIAL WOULD STAYHOME AND NOT GET PAID.>> I'M REALLY AFRAID.PAUL: STATE REPRESENTATIVE DONNADOORE WAS WORKING AT THE STATEARCHIVES DURING THE LASTSHUTDOWN.SHE WAS PART OF THE TENT CITYTHAT POPPED UP IN THE PARKACROSS THE STREET FROM THE STATEHOUSE.>> WHEN I HEAR FROM MY FRIENDSTHAT ARE STILL WORKING IN STATEGOVERNMENT, I TELL THEM TO BEPREPARED.DON'T BUY THAT NEW DRESS.DON'T BUY THAT NEW CAR.DON'T DO THAT BECAUSE YOU MIGHTNEED THE MONEY FOR FOOD ORSOMETHING ELSE.PAUL: WORKERS WHO ARE DEEMEDESSENTIAL IN 1991 DID NOT GETPAID FOR WORKING THROUGH THESHUT DOWN.

LePage to determine 'Essential workers' in event of shutdown

A closer look at what government shutdowns look like in Maine and how it could affect you personally.

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Updated: 7:58 PM EDT Jun 20, 2017

A closer look at what government shutdowns look like in Maine and how it could affect you personally.